Defending champion TNT Tropang Giga’s returning head coach Chot Reyes looks forward to his first encounter with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel mentor Tim Cone in a championship setting.
Reyes was not around when the Tropang Giga took their first title under Jojo Lastimosa last year.
The 61-year-old Reyes feels that their best-of-seven finals’ series in the 49th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup will go the long route and taking the lead early is important to Reyes, the former mentor of Gilas Pilipinas, now coached by Cone.
“I think it will go to Game 6. In a long series, it’s important,” said Reyes, who talked about his outlook during Wednesday’s pre-finals’ presentation at the Atrium inside the Enderun Colleges in McKinley Hill, Taguig.
Cone, on the other hand, felt that a tough journey still lies ahead for the Gin Kings, going into Game 1 on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
“It was a tough road to get here. We go to go through the eliminations which was fast and it was tough with Meralco and San Miguel, two big rivals in the quarterfinals and semis. So, it’s been a tough road to get to this point,” said Cone.
“We’re excited to go into the finals against TNT. A lot of our guys have not been in the finals. And it’s really a big deal for them,” added Cone.
But one thing going for the Gin Kings is the presence of Justin Brownlee, who has reached six championships with the team.
Brownlee was first around when the Gin Kings won 2016 Governors’ Cup, and the following year in the same conference.
Then, Brownlee led Ginebra to titles in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup, 2019 Governors’ Cup, 2021 Governors’ Cup, and in the 2022–23 Commissioner’s Cup.
Meanwhile, PBA officials said proceeds of the revenues earned in the game will be donated to the victims of tropical storm Kristine (Trami), the Philippines’ 11th tropical cyclone in 2024.
Money and relief goods will be allocated to support relief efforts for chosen typhoon victims and those affected.
